The leader of the Tarrant County Medical Society said he believes county health care professionals are prepared for a possible surge of COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, he’s been struck by the amount of specialty and retired physicians who have told him they want to help people who become infected with the novel coronavirus.
Brian Swift, the society’s chief executive officer, said on Tuesday that he participates in two phone calls a day with professionals from across the state about their response to COVID-19 and the issues facing doctors. Based on those calls, Swift said he thinks Tarrant County is prepared for the worst-case scenario.
“I feel very good just talking with some of the medical directors,” he said. “I do feel optimistic that we know what to do. It is just a matter of execution on a lot of these things.”
Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at 1:15 p.m.Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.
* These data are provisional and are subject to change at any time.
Worried, concerned, confused about the Texas Medical Board’s emergency rules on “non-urgent elective surgeries or procedures” during the COVID-19 crisis? What about the new FAQ the board issued over the weekend? You’re not alone.
Many Texas physicians have called the Texas Medical Association about the rules.
If you’re uncertain about what are considered non-urgent, elective surgeries and procedures – as well as what you or your practice will be required to report – TMA’s Office of the General Counsel produced this white paper to help you better understand the emergency rules.
In addition, the TMA COVID-19 Task Force has created a document that provides links to COVID-19 resources, including state and federal guidance as well as specialty societies that have published resource pages.
Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Monday, March 30, 2020 at 1:15 p.m.Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.
Watch NBC5’s interview with TCMS member Dr. Susan Bailey, AMA’s president-elect, about PPE shortages, how they may impact our local community, and the importance of staying at home. Dr. Bailey is an allergist/immunologist practicing in Fort Worth, TX. This was originally posted on 3/25/20.
Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Sunday, March 29, 2020 at 11:45 a.m.Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.
Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Saturday, March 28, 2020 at 12:00 p.m.Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.
One of the biggest obstacles physicians are facing in the COVID-19 pandemic is a lack of access to personal protective equipment (PPE). The TMA COVID-19 Task Force has worked to compile a list to answer the most common PPE questions. Read the PPE Supply and Shortage FAQ to find out more information, from conservation strategies to the best course of action if N95 respirators or face masks are not available.
Originally published in the Star-Telegram.Find the original here.
If it weren’t for the coronavirus pandemic, health reporters in North Texas would be focused on allergies now, as we have entered the spring pollen season.
The beauty of the emerging leaves on the trees, the greening of grass and the appearance of flowers is accompanied by prodigious amounts of tree and grass pollen. Also, because many of us are spending more time at home and are looking for activities, people will be spending more time outside than usual, and thus be exposed to more pollen.
Cough is one of the most telling symptoms of COVID-19, and cough is also very common for those with allergies and asthma. So it’s more important than ever for those with allergies to keep their symptoms under control.
One of our patients said: “It’s a bad time to have allergies because every time you cough, someone looks at you scared!”
So, if you have allergies, how can you distinguish between allergy and COVID-19? First, although many call their allergies “hay fever”, allergy never causes a fever. Never.
If you have a dry cough and a fever, don’t blame your allergies. Talk with your doctor to see if you need to be evaluated for COVID-19.
The symptoms of allergy that are not commonly described in patients with COVID-19 include sneezing, itching of the eyes, ears, or nose, and nasal stuffiness. If there is no fever with these symptoms, they are likely due to seasonal allergies.
As mentioned, cough is common to both COVID-19 and allergy and/or asthma, so that complaint is a little trickier. Nasal allergies can trigger coughing due to postnasal drainage, and asthma causes coughing through irritation of the bronchial tubes. Again, if there is no fever, there is less concern about COVID-19.
People with mild-to-moderate nasal allergies can typically control their symptoms well by using safe, inexpensive medicines (non-sedating antihistamines and nasal cortisone sprays) that are available without a prescription. Those who have asthma will need help from a physician, as there are no effective asthma medicines in the over-the-counter market.
With stay-at-home orders in place, many people are hesitant to call their doctors because they are worried about going to a clinic where people might be sick. Many doctors now have the ability to do telemedicine visits through a smartphone, tablet, or computer. There is no need to suffer in silence – call for help!
I have been an allergist in Fort Worth for 36 years. It has never been this quiet in our office in the spring, and I suspect this is true for all allergists. If you are having trouble with your allergies, call your primary care physician or an allergist.
We are ready to help.
Dr. Robert Rogers is a Fort Worth allergist and former president of the Tarrant County Medical Society.
TCMS is organizing a Physician Task Force to supplement community hospitals at this critical time. We need your support – please join this effort on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic.
If you are interested in volunteering, fill out this form and contact Brian Swift at (312) 330-4894 or bswift@tcms.org.
Tarrant County Physician Online 